Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

This conversation is moderated according to USA TODAY's
community rules.
Please read the rules before joining the discussion.

Jim Witter brings music of The Beatles to Manitowoc Capitol Civic Centre

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Published 9:27 a.m. CT March 12, 2019

CLOSE

From BoDeans and Cory Chisel to Les Paul and Liberace, the Badger State has left its mark on the music industry. Here's a look at USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin's list of 12 Most Influential Wisconsin Musicians, compiled by Kelley Simms.
Wochit

MANITOWOC - In the early 1960s, four young lads from Liverpool, England, set the music world on ﬁre. Individually, they were known as John, Paul, George and Ringo. Together, they would become the biggest rock 'n' roll band of all time: The Beatles.

No wigs. No costumes. Just incredible, timeless and classic songs; the songs that took those four young lads from Liverpool and placed them in the history books, as the greatest pop/rock band of all time.­

Even Beatles fans might not know the original title of "Yesterday," written by Paul McCartney. Those who come to Jim Witter's musical production of "The Long and Winding Road" at the Capitol Civic Centre on March 30 will find out this, and more.

“The original title was ‘Scrambled Eggs,’" said Witter, an award-winning performer from Canada, known for creating productions paying homage to classic groups and songwriters such as Barry Manilow and Simon and Garfunkel.

"Paul literally woke up from a dream with that song running through his head," Witter continued. "He thought he had heard it somewhere else. He didn't want to put a lot of effort into the lyrics in case he did hear it somewhere else. So he just riffed with: 'Scrambled eggs. Oh my baby, how I love your legs.'"

When McCartney knew he had created an original melody, Witter said, "He sat down and put some serious thought into the lyrics."

Witter will tell that story, and more, to the backdrop of videos of The Beatles and also sing some of John Lennon's and Paul McCartney's most memorable songs at the show.

Jim Witter brings his show, 'The Long and Winding Road,' featuring music of The Beatles, to the Capitol Civic Centre stage in Manitowoc March 30.(Photo: Provided)

"The show is a tribute to Lennon and McCartney and their incredible song writing," said Witter, also known for his production "Piano Men" featuring the songs of Billy Joel and Elton John, which played the Capitol last season.

Witter has been writing and performing music in Canada and the United States, and has received awards and nominations from the Canadian Country Music Association and other groups. His album, "Forgiveness," was nominated for Inspirational Album of the Year in Nashville. Since then, he's been touring with “The Long and Winding Road,” "Piano Men" and other productions. He and his band came up with the idea to do "The Long and Winding Road" when they got stuck in their trailer during a thunderstorm waiting to perform at a festival. He told his group he had been thinking about putting together a Beatles show, but not a tribute where they dress up and create the illusion of being the Fab Four.

Join Witter and his band on March 30 at the Capitol Civic Centre as they re-create some of The Beatles' greatest hits, including “Hard Day’s Night,” “Nowhere Man,” “Help,” “Hey Jude,” “Let it Be,” “Yesterday” and others. During this multi-media magical mystery tour, learn some interesting facts about how some of these songs came to be and what inspired John and Paul to write arguably the most memorable music of our time.

"I wanted to do more of a nod to John and Paul and their great songwriting and educate the audience on some neat little trivia," Witter said. "The band and I literally made the set list, boom, right there in the trailer while it was raining. It hasn't changed much since then."

Though mostly he and his band perform the music, Witter also tells some stories such as the one about writing "Yesterday," and another about how Lennon told McCartney that the only thing he liked about the tune "Lady Madonna" was the piano lick.

During the first half of the show, Witter will regale the audience with tunes such as "A Hard Day's Night" and "Yellow Submarine." The second half will include music from the later years, such as "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," which incidentally was not about LSD, but about a painting done by John Lennon's son, Witter said.

Jim Witter(Photo: Provided)

"Our goal, as a band, is to recreate as faithfully as we can the arrangements," Witter said. "I don't really try to mimic them, but in my mind, you get into that zone. When you play one of their songs, you naturally fall into character."

Witter said being a songwriter himself, he often thinks about why The Beatles' music is so timeless.

"A friend summed it up perfectly," Witter said. "He said, 'Regardless of the mood that you're in, there is a Beatles song that speaks right to that mood.' There are no other artists who do that. They have songs that make you think, laugh, weep."

The Capitol Civic Centre is at 913 S. Eighth St., Manitowoc. Tickets are $29 and $35, plus tax and fees, and are available at the Capitol's Box Office, online at cccshows.org or by calling 920-683-2184. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. March 30.